Aviko's first trial harvest figures are far below average

With an average gross yield of 25 tons per hectare in week 30, the yield is far below average compared to previous years. Only last harvest the test harvest was lower by 18 tonnes. Since 2017, the gross yield has varied between 18 and 42 tons per hectare. Every growing season, Aviko starts with test harvesting in week 30 of different chip varieties, from 40 millimeters upwards.

The differences in hectare yields are large according to Willem van Tilburg, purchasing and sales manager at Aviko. "We see large differences in yield between regions, but also within the same region and even per plot. This has to do with the fact that plots were planted early and late, but also whether or not a plot has had the growing season with all the rain. that we have had to endure. As a result, we see a large spread in yield." Van Tilburg also indicates that the poorer structure of the soil is very noticeable and that on plots where there is a lot of (water) damage, trial harvesting is not conducive to making a good estimate.

Tuber number 
According to Van Tilburg, the tuber number is higher than last season. This is also reflected in the trial harvest figures. Approximately 39% of the tubers were only above 30 millimeters in week 50. That percentage is comparable to the 2023 harvest in that week, although the yield was lower. In the other years this was always between 55% and 75% in week 30. The underwater weight, with an average of 325 grams, is far below average compared to other years and only 2021 is slightly lower. Van Tilburg indicates that the underwater weight of the early potatoes is good.

Due to the large differences in planting dates and the large amounts of water this spring, the differences in crop stages are large, and therefore also the yields per plot. Van Tilburg explains that the first test harvest figure is an average figure of everything, and that the growth curve in the coming weeks must be taken into account. "The growth curve of the coming weeks says a lot more than this first figure, which is a mix of all varieties and planting dates. You see some crops in certain regions wearing out hard, while others are very vigorous."